Abstract: The invention is directed to a cooking apparatus including two non-metal plates, each of which has a non-metal platen and an integral or bonded thin film element. The non-metal platen is made from material selected from nano-ceramic, pyroceramic glass, ceramic reinforced with silicon carbide, silicon carbide or mica composite. Each of the plates are mounted in a frame having an upper portion pivotally mounted to a lower portion with the non-metal platens opposing each other. There is also a control means for controlling the electrical current to the thin film elements and the plates can be heated to temperatures between 300° C. and 450° C. to provide even cooking of the food product while providing energy efficiencies.